What a year it’s been. We experienced the delight of becoming grandparents twice—welcoming little Forrest and Lila—alongside the sadness of saying goodbye to our beloved pup Jack and the joy of bringing home our new dog, Finnegan. Through it all, this house has continued to be the center of family life and memory-making.
Reflecting on 2024 fills me with gratitude: for family, for this home, and for the everyday moments that have become precious memories during the three years we’ve lived here.
Jack’s loss is still tender, but we’re grateful for the time we had with him and for the many happy memories he left behind. He was deeply loved by our family and by many friends online, and we remember him with a smile.
Welcoming two babies in one year brought such joy to our whole family—my mom included, who loved spending time with her two great-grandchildren. Their first Christmas at our house created priceless memories we’ll always cherish.
If you missed our Christmas house tour, I shared it earlier this season along with a video tour of the decorations and rooms.
With two new babies and a new pup, the renovation we completed last year proved worth every bit of effort. Over Christmas we hosted four dogs, nine adults, and two infants—proof that the updated main floor works much better for gatherings. It’s still a cozy house, but the changes made the space function far more effectively for family life. We also enjoy having the Tiny Cottage for my parents nearby.
We didn’t start any major renovations this year; instead, 2024 was about settling in and making the most of the updates we’d just completed. I expect that settling process will continue into the coming years.
We did tackle our backyard garden, though it was a tougher season than expected and we lost a number of plants. The renovation required reworking parts of the yard, and while we managed to install some decks and walkways, the planting will need another go. The current photos show the in-progress state before everything was settled; I’ll share updated garden progress next spring when we replant and continue work on the front yard.
We’re learning as we go—gardening hasn’t been our strongest skill this year—but we’re optimistic about trying again and creating a more resilient outdoor space.
Inside the house, I’ve been thinking about furniture and room layouts for the year ahead. After Christmas, we did some impromptu furniture shuffling between the Tiny Cottage and our living room, which helped clarify what works and what to keep. When we moved, we pared down a lot of pieces—many went to our kids—so we could live comfortably without feeling overwhelmed. I prefer to use what we already have and make thoughtful choices over time.
We completed a few small projects and focused on organizing this year. I’ve shared some of those organizing projects in my community, and it’s been rewarding to work on smaller updates that improve daily life. Expect more organizing and step-by-step projects from me in 2025 as I continue refining how rooms function for our family.
This house feels like our home for the long term, so my approach is to enjoy the ongoing process: making each space cozier, more welcoming, and more functional as we live in it. I believe in decorating with what you have and gathering pieces you love over time so your home evolves naturally and always feels personal.
In the new year I’ll share my decorating method for using existing pieces and making gradual improvements so your home can grow with you.
One fun find this summer was a nearly-new bed I scored on Facebook Marketplace—one of those little thrills when you find the perfect piece secondhand. I shared the full story of that find and how it came together in a previous post.
We added a new rug that I love and have a few more updates in mind for that bedroom, so the decorating will continue next year. Little changes like a rug, lighting, or art can make a room feel refreshed without a full overhaul.
The Snug is coming together using a mix of pieces we already owned and a few new additions like lamps, a rug, and an end table. My husband and I spend many evenings there watching TV, so having the space feel cozy and functional has made a big difference. I have big plans for the room, but for now we’re happy with the progress.
Although our house is modest in size, I still have plenty of ideas for both interior and exterior projects. The work is ongoing—that’s part of the fun. Progress, not perfection, is what keeps the home evolving.
Thank you for your support in 2024. Here’s to a happy and creative 2025!